462 or 400 or ?

[dgdm]

hey there, I am looking for some opinions on a saw purchase, I have been reading everything I can find and found a store that has both a 462 and a 400 to compare side by side, prices here are with a 24 inch bar $1,219 for the 400 and $1,339 for the 462. I would mostly be using it for a firewood felling saw when I deal with big stuff. I burn wood all winter about 4 bush cords and cut mostly ash and silver maple, mostly under 20 inches, the odd one bigger. I currently have a bunch of saws, really way too many, I have a 290, a 340 and 2 260's that I have picked up over the years when a deal came along on a used saw - these saws are all way too close in size and I think I should sell 2 or 3 and buy one big saw with a 24 inch bar and a 20 inch bar and use that and the 260 for a two saw combo.

So - which saw would be recommended, the 400 and 462 seemed so similar in size and weight, just the extra cost and a bit more power for the 462. there is a small chance I might do some milling down the road, but it would be only very occasionally and small quantities so I don't think this should be a deciding factor as I figure I could take it easy if using a saw that is not idea in terms of power. I guess I am wondering if there is any good reason to pay more for the 462, and if the 400 is not a big enough step up to be worth while. or maybe I dont need another saw at all, I have been heating my place for 11 winters with the saws I have, but I farm so the saw is a right off so I figure I can buy a new saw and save when I right it off.

also just saw a 360 used for $350 which I might have to grab, but I definitely don't need one so close to what I already have.

thanks for your thoughts.
david

 

[Sawdust Man]

I have a 400 and really like it, way more power than a 260 or 290 for sure! and at 12 3/4 lbs it's got a very good power to weight ratio.
I've never ran a 462 so no input on that, but the specs look very good...... I really wanna try one!

 

[user 122190]

The 400 is a great saw. Get the 462 if you need to run a longer bar.

 

[EchoRomeoCharlie]

Never ran a 400, but the 260/462 2 saw plan is a great one. I would suggest the 462 for full time 24" bar work.

Actually, I would suggest the 500i over both...but that's probably more saw than you need.

 

[Iceboy]

I had both. I think, you should get the MS462 ( I left the MS400 to go) and sell the 290 and the 340. At the end you ll have 2 nice 50cc saws and a 70cc saw. That would do almost anything

 

[Abbeville TSI]

I have a 462, no buyer's remorse here. I needed more saw than an 036 Pro for a fallen oak. 400 was not available for purchase. In retrospect, an MS 400 and a 25" (24") bar would do what I need to do. It just wasn't at hand when I needed it. When I was working on pro saws daily, I always wanted an 044 Stihl...

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

25" bar ? - ms 462 no doubt especially for that price difference.

It oils better and obviously pulls a longer bar better. They basically feel the same in the hands.

 

[Sierra_rider]

I went with the 400, but I was specifically looking for more of a 60cc class saw rather than a 70cc...I already own 3 other saws in the 70-76cc range. While the 400 is closer to the 70cc class in power and displacement, it still handles like a 362.

I put the wrap handle kit on it and am now upgrading the oiler. With a muffler mod, the 400 has no problem pulling a 28" or even a 32" in softwoods...it's just the stock oiler is meant for a 20-25" bar. Financially, the 462 would've made more sense...but I wanted the lightest weight saw I could get while still being able to use it as a falling saw.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

I went with the 400, but I was specifically looking for more of a 60cc class saw rather than a 70cc...I already own 3 other saws in the 70-76cc range. While the 400 is closer to the 70cc class in power and displacement, it still handles like a 362.

I put the wrap handle kit on it and am now upgrading the oiler. With a muffler mod, the 400 has no problem pulling a 28" or even a 32" in softwoods...it's just the stock oiler is meant for a 20-25" bar. Financially, the 462 would've made more sense...but I wanted the lightest weight saw I could get while still being able to use it as a falling saw.

You definitely could've bought a 462 R after you you buy the wrap kit for a 400 and upgrade the oiler.

I don't reallly care for the 400 for the simple fact it still has 362 AV and oil capacity, for a 20" bar it wouldn't matter, but after that a 462 is a way better buy especially when you get in to buying all the extras to make a 400 wrap handle saw for a 25" or bigger bar.

The weight difference is so insignificant it's not worth talking about..to me anyway..

 

[wisconsintreeguy]

462

 

[Sierra_rider]

You definitely could've bought a 462 R after you you buy the wrap kit for a 400 and upgrade the oiler.

I don't reallly care for the 400 for the simple fact it still has 362 AV and oil capacity, for a 20" bar it wouldn't matter, but after that a 462 is a way better buy especially when you get in to buying all the extras to make a 400 wrap handle saw for a 25" or bigger bar.

The weight difference is so insignificant it's not worth talking about..to me anyway..

It's a sliding scale, for another bump in price and a small weight penalty over the 462, you can get a 500i.

For the average person who is cross-shopping the 400/462 and are only on a 2 or 3 saw plan, the 462 is the clear winner IMO. It's probably the correct choice for the OP...but the 400 does have a place in the line up.

For me on my almost 10 saw plan, it didn't make the most sense. I already had 5 saws over 70cc and my next smallest saw was 50cc, so a 60ish cc sized saw seemed to be the glaring hole. I've got quite a bit of time running a wrap-handled 362cm(work saw, not mine) so something that handled like the 362 but with better power, seemed like the ticket. The 400 walks all over the 362 as far as power goes.

The 400 has become my "all around" saw. I use it for spar work on removals, I fall with it, I limb, and even cut brush...very versatile saw.

 

[thomasinvancouver]

462.

And I’m laughing at the 25” is a long bar comments. I have a 28” on my 362 and a 32” on my 462. The dogs eat a lot of length and I don’t like being hunched over all day.

 

[Sierra_rider]

462.

And I’m laughing at the 25” is a long bar comments. I have a 28” on my 362 and a 32” on my 462. The dogs eat a lot of length and I don’t like being hunched over all day.

+1, a 25" is a short bar IMO. My 400 splits its time between 25 and 28" lightweights...I actually don't really like the 25 that much(except for climbing) and prefer the 28. My 044s and 372 run either 28 or 32 lights. The 066 runs a 36" 99% of the time and a 42" the other 1%. If I really need a 42" or bigger, I'll just lug out the 880.

Heck, even my 50cc saw runs a 20"...even in hardwoods, I never understood the 20" bars on 70cc saws?

 

[Outback1]

hey there, I am looking for some opinions on a saw purchase, I have been reading everything I can find and found a store that has both a 462 and a 400 to compare side by side, prices here are with a 24 inch bar $1,219 for the 400 and $1,339 for the 462. I would mostly be using it for a firewood felling saw when I deal with big stuff. I burn wood all winter about 4 bush cords and cut mostly ash and silver maple, mostly under 20 inches, the odd one bigger. I currently have a bunch of saws, really way too many, I have a 290, a 340 and 2 260's that I have picked up over the years when a deal came along on a used saw - these saws are all way too close in size and I think I should sell 2 or 3 and buy one big saw with a 24 inch bar and a 20 inch bar and use that and the 260 for a two saw combo.

So - which saw would be recommended, the 400 and 462 seemed so similar in size and weight, just the extra cost and a bit more power for the 462. there is a small chance I might do some milling down the road, but it would be only very occasionally and small quantities so I don't think this should be a deciding factor as I figure I could take it easy if using a saw that is not idea in terms of power. I guess I am wondering if there is any good reason to pay more for the 462, and if the 400 is not a big enough step up to be worth while. or maybe I dont need another saw at all, I have been heating my place for 11 winters with the saws I have, but I farm so the saw is a right off so I figure I can buy a new saw and save when I right it off.

also just saw a 360 used for $350 which I might have to grab, but I definitely don't need one so close to what I already have.

thanks for your thoughts.
david

What’s wrong with a 461? Then you might not find one in the price rages you listed? But if you plan to mill get as new a saw as you can afford but then you can pick up a G066 or a G288 from farm tech for what you would pay for a well run Stihl or Husqvarna! Look on Amazon you’ll see those saws listed.

 

[Stihl 041S]

400......well ported

 

[EchoRomeoCharlie]

462.

And I’m laughing at the 25” is a long bar comments. I have a 28” on my 362 and a 32” on my 462. The dogs eat a lot of length and I don’t like being hunched over all day.

Maybe in softwood.

462's do not enjoy 32" bars in oak....ask me how I know. It's not a huge fan of 28" buried in oak/locust/hickory either...but it will run it and oil it pretty good.

On a 32" in hardwood I have to either hold it up out of the cut or leave the depth gauges very high. I don't enjoy holding a saw up out of the cut.

 

[user 122190]

In soft woods the 500i runs a 32" B&C very well. I was cutting stacks of logs this past week and cutting thru 2 and 3 at a time.

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

It's a sliding scale, for another bump in price and a small weight penalty over the 462, you can get a 500i.

For the average person who is cross-shopping the 400/462 and are only on a 2 or 3 saw plan, the 462 is the clear winner IMO. It's probably the correct choice for the OP...but the 400 does have a place in the line up.

For me on my almost 10 saw plan, it didn't make the most sense. I already had 5 saws over 70cc and my next smallest saw was 50cc, so a 60ish cc sized saw seemed to be the glaring hole. I've got quite a bit of time running a wrap-handled 362cm(work saw, not mine) so something that handled like the 362 but with better power, seemed like the ticket. The 400 walks all over the 362 as far as power goes.

The 400 has become my "all around" saw. I use it for spar work on removals, I fall with it, I limb, and even cut brush...very versatile saw.

That's kinda true.

You don't have to spend an extra 200 dollars for a wrap kit after you purchase a 462 and you still have tougher AV and a better oiler for longer bars...and a saw with more ass..

So..you basically bought a 462 price wise after you do that and still have what you have..for a few ounces of weight..not worth it in my book.

Being you can purchase a 462 and 500 with wrap handles That's a completely different scenario.

 

[thomasinvancouver]

Bent over or kneeling down isn’t a hard or soft wood issue. A 32” bar on a 50/60cc saw isn’t going to run well when it’s buried and dogged in regardless of the wood, but my body will be much happier if it gets to stand up straight and use good body mechanics. 28” on my 60cc. 32” on my 70cc.

I’ll stick with my initial vote for the 462. 400 would be a great choice for a single saw, but when you have the 260 for a small saw you may as well go with the 462. If you’re milling a lot, then something older, heavier, with a manual carb would be the way.

 

[user 122190]

Bent over or kneeling down isn’t a hard or soft wood issue. A 32” bar on a 50/60cc saw isn’t going to run well when it’s buried and dogged in regardless of the wood, but my body will be much happier if it gets to stand up straight and use good body mechanics. 28” on my 60cc. 32” on my 70cc.

I’ll stick with my initial vote for the 462. 400 would be a great choice for a single saw, but when you have the 260 for a small saw you may as well go with the 462. If you’re milling a lot, then something older, heavier, with a manual carb would be the way.

I'm totally sold on the 3 saw plan. It is actually a 3 bar plan, with 3 saws to run the bars. I use to run a 24 and a 32 on my 461, but in actual usage, I rarely ever bother to switch the 24 for the 32. Seemed like to much trouble, except in the extreme case where the 32 was a necessity. With the 261 running the 20", the 400 with the 24", and the 500i wearing the 32", there is nothing I cannot deal with.